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5 potential replacements for Melvin Gordon

By Graham Tiedtke

Dec 12, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) reacts following his touchdown carry in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) reacts following his touchdown carry in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could Phillip Lindsay return to Denver to replace Melvin Gordon with Javonte Williams?
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 13: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos looks on prior to their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 13, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos could lose Melvin Gordon in free agency. Who are some names that could replace him?

Melvin Gordon has been the leader in the Denver Broncos backfield since arriving as a free agent from the Los Angeles Chargers two years ago. That being said, could he be on the move to a new team? While nothing is official, Gordon is an unrestricted free agent in March.

Gordon shared the running back workload with rookie Javonte Williams in 2021. They split carries exactly even with Gordon rushing for just 15 more yards than Williams (918 to 903).

It is pretty hard to allow that production to leave in free agency, but for the purpose of this article, he does end up signing with someone else.

Gordon will turn 29 before the season, nearing the problematic years of running back decline—30-year old rushers.

The running backs I’m going to highlight are not near that age group, and I feel they may be able to add to an already strong running back room.

Here are five running backs that, if they had to, the Denver Broncos could look at signing if Gordon ends up leaving.

Phillip Lindsay. 1. player. 59. . Running Back. Miami Dolphins

Could Phillip Lindsay return home to take the starting job from Melvin Gordon?

Welcome home, old friend.

While Lindsay signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans last offseason, the team released him in late November. He signed with the Miami Dolphins and played in four games for the team after 10 with the Texans.

Can you imagine Lindsay and Williams together on the same field? You’d have two guys who can outrun almost anybody if they get into the open field. Lindsay is a small running back at 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds while Williams is quite a bit bigger at 5-foot-10, 220 pounds.

The combination of these two could easily tire out opposing defenses and if the Broncos end up going uptempo, it could lead to huge gains and open up the passing game for whoever (Aaron Rodgers?) is at quarterback.

The question is, will Lindsay want to return home to the state in which he went to college, or will he seek to head to a sure-fire playoff contender? The name I mentioned in the last paragraph may lead Lindsay back home.

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